Glass-blowing machine



April 17, 1945. s. A. FORTER 2,373,320

GLASS-BLOWING MACHINE Filed-Sept. '4, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORApril 1-7, 1945. s. A. FORTER 2,373,820

GLASS-BLOWING MACHINE Filed Sept. 4, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII u INVENTOR QM a mzz/ 7 M Mia/Jamal I Patented Apr. 17,1945 2,373,820 GLASS-BLOWING MACHINE Samuel A. Forter, Pittsburgh, Pa.,assignor to Forter-Telehmann Company, Pittsburgh, Pa... a corporation ofPennsylvania Application September 4, 1942, Serial No. 457,245

3 Claims.

This invention relates to glass-blowing machinery. In an application forLetters Patent of the United States, Serial Number 298,775, filedOctober 10, 1939, by Henry F. Teichmann, now

ble of producing bottles (for example) with relatively great speed andin relatively large quantities; with the efIect that, in the hands ofparticular users, its capacityto produce may exceed the need, and themachine may of necessity stand idle (with economic disadvantage) for anunduly great portion of the time. My present invention hasefiect inovercoming and correcting in greater or less degree that disadvantage.The invention consists, specifically, in an adaptation of the machinefor the concurrent and continuous production of articles of more shapesor sizes than one. The manufacturer, accordingly, having in hand ordersfor so many articles of one sort and so many of another, may adapt asingle machine, running for a larger portion of the time, to produce thewhole, rather than find himself under the practical necessity ofproviding two machines and running each for a smaller portion of thetime. Obviously, instead of providing two entire machines, itwould bepossible for the manufacturer to provide himself with two complete setsof molds alternately applicable to a single machine; but even over suchan adaptation my invention affords substantial economies.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is a view partly in side elevation,partly in section, and in some degree diagrammatic of glass-blowingmachinery that embodies the improvements of my present invention. Fig.II is a fragmentary-view, showing to larger scale and in side elevationthe detail of structure in which my invention centres. Fig. III is aview in vertical and transverse section, on the plane indicated by thebroken line IIIIII, Fig. II. Fig. IV is a view that, corresponding toFig. III, shows certain parts in alternate operative positions. Fig. Vis a view in planfrom above of the portion of the apparatus shown inFigs. II and III (from the showing of Fig. V, however, a certain railhas been omitted). Fig. VI is a fragmentary and diagrammatic view,corresponding to Fig. I and illustrating a modification of structurewithin the field of the invention.

corresponding to Fig. IV, but in further illustration of themodification of Fig. VI.

The machine includes a plurality of'traveling molds severally formed ofmold parts i and 2. A succession of plates 3, with the platesarticulated as shown in Fig. V, is formed into an endless chain. Theaxles upon which the plates are articulated project laterally and carryrollers 4. A pair of stationary guideways 5, spaced apart transverselyof the apparatus, and a pair of rotary sprocket wheels 6, also spacedapart, receive the rollers 4 and support the chain in the position shownin Fig. I; it'being understood that the two sprocket wheels stand onebehind the other in the line of si ht in this figure of the drawings.The chain ex ends in upper and lower horizontal reaches, interconnectedby rounded courses at the ends. The sprocket wheels, it may beunderstood, are suitably driven by a motor (not shown); and by suchdrive the endless chain of plates 3 is caused to advance in"counterclockwise course, as seen in Fig. I, and as indicated by arrows.Each mold part I consists of two equal and relatively symmetricalportions, divided on an axial plane, and, in the cycle of machineoperation, these mold portions close, to serve unitedly their essentialmold function, and open to release the finished article. The twoportions of each mold part I are severally mounted upon slides 8 thatare borne in pairs, a pair upon each plate 3. The slides are mounted tomove upon plates 3' in direction'transverse to the line of advance ofthe plates. The slides are provided with vertically extending posts uponwhich rollers 9 are mounted. The rollers 9 engage stationary guides l0,and the guides l0 are so proportioned that, as the plates advance intheir course, the portions of the successive mold parts I, in orderedprogress,

close and open again. The closed mold part I completed. The moldsdeliver (at C) successive finished articles.

The guides III are so proportioned that as the mold parts 1 advance tothe position A, the two portions of which each is composed closeautomatically together; and as approach is made to the position 0, theportions of the mold parts I separate, to allow the escape of the moldedarticle.

Cooperating with the endless succession of plates 3 that carry the moldparts I is a second endless succession of plates 38 that carry severallythe mold parts 2. The plates 38 are articulated to form a second endlesschain. The axles upon which the plates 38 are articulated are alsoextended and carry rollers 39. The rollers travel in stationaryguideways 40. The endless chain formed of the plates 38, supported andguided by the means described, extends in upper and lower horizontalreaches, interconnected by rounded courses at the ends. The upperhorizontal reach of this second endless chain is arranged immediatelybeneath and at an accurately spaced interval from the lower horizontalreach of the endless chain first described. The plates 38 carry rigidly,each a mold part 2. The upper reach of r the lower endless chain extendsin the direction of travel (to the right, Fig. 1) beyond the lower reachof the upper chain.

Details of the structure and organization of the guides ill, theguideways 40, and the construction and operation of the molds may beobtained by reference. to the above-noted Teichmann application. v

The plates 38 carry clamps 45, by which the advancing mold parts I,borne by the upper chain, are united one by one (at B) with the moldparts 2, borne by the lower chain. By this union the molds arecompleted; and by this union the lower endless chain is integrated withthe upper chain, so that it moves in unison with the upper chain. Thedirection of the consequent movement of the lower chain is clockwise, asindicated by an arrow, Fig. I.

Means are provided by which, as the lower chain advances, the clamps 45automatically close (at B) upon the mold parts brought together at thatpoint; and they are automatically opened again toward the right-hand endof the upper reach of a the lower chain, to allow the separation of themold-parts, as indica d in Fig. I. Such means are illustrated anddesibed in Teichmann application Serial No. 298,775 filed October 10, 1939.

Each plate 3 of the upper chain carries a vertically reciprocableplunger II. This plunger is normally held by spring tension in retractedposition; but in the course of advance the plunger is engaged by astationary abutment, and in consequence it is projected against springtension into the space within the portions of mold part I which, at thatpoint in their progress, have closed one upon another. .The plunger llindeed, when so advanced, becomes itself a mold member. At the point A,Fig. I, the plunger II is in its advanced position of cooperationwiththeclosed mold part I. The abutment that effects the projection of theplunger H is shown in Fig, I to consist of a bar I! having an obliqueface to meet the rollers Ila with which the end of the advancing plungerH is equipped. The 'bar is continued in a sector-shaped block or cam l3.And it will be seen that the surface against which the plunger rests,and by resting is held in projected position. is parallel with thecourse of the advancing plate 3 as the plate 3 comes to position A andadvances thence upon the descending rounded course of the endless chain.

As disclosed in the above-noted Teichmann application, the plate 3 isinteriorly chambered, and from the chamber there is an opening thro l ha The condition of suction is established as the plate 3 comes toposition A, and is maintained as the plate advances from the position Aand during a portion of the downward anddescending rounded course. At anintermediate point in that descent the condition of suction is relieved;and at substantially the same point the plunger H is released and underspring tension recedes from advanced position in the mouth of the closedmold part I, Immediately thereafter a condition of compression isestablished within the chambered plate 3. The means for establishing thecondition of suction are not of immediate concern, and need not now beenlarged upon; it is with the means for establishing the condition ofpressure that the present invention has immediately to do.

As disclosed in said Teichmann application, a chamber I8 within theplate 3 may be understood to be constantly maintained filled with airunder adequate glass-blowing pressure. From chamber l8 a passageway Ileads to that other chamber within plate 3 already alluded to, fromwhich there is constant and open communication, through the orificedboss l5the boss upon which the two portions of the mold part I close insubstantially air-tight union. Communication from chamber l8 through thepassageway I80 is, at.

ing of the valves 21 of the succeeding plates. The

valves continue in unseatedposition so long as such engagementcontinues, and during such interval air enters and fills the now closedmold l, 2 and maintains within the mold glass-blowing pressure. When theroller-equipped valve stem passes (from left to right, Fig. I) beyondthe end of rail 3|, valve 21. closes under spring tension, and blowingpressure is cut off.

The apparatus is arranged in suitable assembly with a glasstank orfore-hearth l8, and a delivery orifice with a flow-controlling rod 49,adjustable in its position above the orifice, is arranged to deliverfreely and continuously under gravity a stream G of molten glass, inline directly above the series of mold parts I.

gob from the stream G.

cylindrical boss ii that rises from the face of the plate. The twoportions of the mold part I close upon the boss Hi. The parts are nicelymachined, so that the closure is substantially air-tight. Means areprovided-for establishing within the chamber, in the course of progressof the plate, alternate conditions of suction and compression.

Operation may be followed, with reference to Fig. I. It will beunderstood that the endless chain of plates 3, carrying the mold partsI, is being driven in counter-clockwise course, and that the shearblades 50, 50 are reciprocating, cutting into discretegobs g thecontinuously descending column G of glass.

The mold parts I; as these advance from right to left along the upperreach of travel, are in inverted position, and are open above. As theyadvance, their two portions, separated at C, are,

brought together, and, being brought together, they come to position A,ready to receive the glass.

As each mold part I in turn comes to position A, it receives a severedgob g of glass falling from the shears.

At the moment when the mold part I so receives its gob, the plunger IIhas, by'the engagement of its stem with rail I2, been projected upward,into the mouth of the mold part. And at the same time, itmay beunderstood, a condition of suction is set up in the mouth of the moldpart and beneath the fallen gob. Under excess of pressure from above themolten glass then is molded in the lower end of the mold part I andaround the tip of the upwardly-extended plunger II. Thus the mouth ofthe article (in the example given, a bottle) is shaped. Such shaping iseffected while the mold part; borne by the advancing plate, ad-

vances through the earlier portion of its descend-- ing and roundedcourse. The shaped portion of the body of glass is by contact with themold parts solidified, while elsewhere the body remains plastic.

.At a, predetermined point, in this descendingcourse the condition ofsuction is relieved and the plunger II is withdrawn. Immediatelythereclamped to its companion mold part2 that is borne by the .lowerendless chain. 4

Throughout the extent of rail 3| the valve 21 3| upon the valve stem, ormay be carried aside to ineffective position.

Accordingly, the part 3Ia is mounted upon the work arms of two identicalbell-crank levers 50 (Fig. II) that are. pivoted upon a common axis in astationary portion of the machine (conveniently upon the adjacent rail5), and a bar 53 extends between and unites the power-arms of the levers(Figs. 11 and IV). The two levers, the rail part 3Ia, and the bar 53together constitute a rigid structure, pivotally movable upon the axisof the levers. Springs 5I tend to turn this structure in a clock-wisedirection and to hold the'extensions 3Ia of the rails in retracted andinactive position,

as shown in Fig. IV. As between successive molds, let it be understoodthat the mold in the lead is intended to have -formed within it a bottleor other receptacle,

, tively short time interval, while the next succeeding mold is intendedto have formed within it a bottle or other receptacle, which requiresblowing pressure for a relatively long time. Let it be understoodfurther that the main portion 3| of the rail suflices'to afford blowingpressure suflicient for the first of the two articles, while theprolongation of the rail in the extension 3Ia is required for theblowing of the second article. The plate 3 that carries the second moldis equipped, as the plate 3 that carries the first is 'not, with anupstanding flange 52, elongate in the direction of mold advance. Thisflange, in the advance of the plate 3, engaging bar 53, swings thebell-crank lever structure and brings the rail part 3 la from theposition shown in Fig. IV to that continues in open position, and duringthis interval of time compressed air blows the bottle to completionwithin the now complete mold:

When the roller-equipped stem of valvev 21 7 passes beyond the'end ofrail 3I, thevalve, under upon it. At the point C the bottle may beremoved.

The machine as thus far described, equipped with a set of identicalmolds, is adapted, manifestly, to produce identicalpieces; and this, asmay be inferred, at a relatively rapid rate. My

present invention is found in adaptation of a machine of the characterdescribed to the production of articles of various shapes, sizes, andproportions. It is manifest that the mold cavity defined by the moldparts I and 2 may be proportioned as the maker will; it is manifest thatby control of and change 'in the position of the rod 43, the size of thegobs g of glass may be varied; and it remains only to vary (and hereinlies-the invention) the duration of the blowing step in machineoperation. As shown in Figs. I-V, the

rail 3| is made of a plurality of parts-a stationary part which theroller 21a of the valve stem first engages in its advance beyond thesurface of F cam 30 (to this stationary part of the rail the referencenumeral 3| is immediately applied) and an extension 3Ia that is movableand that may. be brought alternately to continuity with the stationarypart to be effective in continuity with part shown in Figs. II and III.When the-rail extenare equipped with or lack the flange 52, the durationof blowing pressure within'the article under fabricationwill be long orshort. The flange 52 is deflected at its advance end to make properencally yet another variety of blown article.

. trated in Figs. VI and VII. In this case the rail 'An alternatearrangement of means to accomplish the same end, of selective durationof the period of continuance of blowing pressure, is illusupon which theroller-equipped stem of valve 21 makes bearing is integral, but is setin oblique position; so that, as the mold-bearing plate 3 advances inleft-to-right course, Fig. VI, the valve 21 gradually closes underspring tension. In this case, however, the stem of the valve 21 is madetelescopically extensible in length, and a set-screw 21b is provided bywhich the stem 'parts may be secured at any desired efiective length ofstem. By proper adjustment of the stems of the valves 21 in'succeedingplates, the duration of the time of application of blowing pressurewithin the succeeding articles'may be predetermined.

As in the machine of the Teichmann application named above, the point atwhich blowing pressure first gains admittance to the blank within themold is nicely determined by the minute adjustment of the sector-shapedplate or cam dis 30 upon its centre of turning.

By such means a single machine may be set tor the continued productionof articles of two or more sorts, differing in size or shape or both,and in predetermined relative quantities.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for blowing articles of plastic material including achain of articulated members mounted for travel in cyclic course andcarrying molds, each adapted to receive a plastic blank, and passages inthe'chain members for connecting the molds severally to a source ofcompressed air, the invention herein described which comprises means forseverally opening and closing said passages to air flow, and meansincluding a rail extending longitudinally of said course of chain travelfor operating said passage opening and closing means, said rail being ofadjustable effective length as between successive molds whereby theinterval, during which the air passage to one is greater than theinterval to another mold is of said molds is open, during which the airpassage pen.

2. The structure of claim 1, said passage opening and closing meanscomprising valves having I asvaeao stems arranged in mold travel toengage said rail, said rail having a section mounted for movement to andfrom position to be engaged by said valve stems, and means arranged inthe course of mold travel to shift said rail section from inactive tovalve-stem-engaging position.

3. In a machine for blowing articles of plastic material including aplurality of molds mounted for travel in predetermined course and eachadapted to receive a plastic blank, passages for connecting the moldsseverally to a source of compressed air, and valves severallycontrolling said passages, the invention herein described comprisingstems for said valves severally adjustable in effective length, and arail set in oblique position with respect to the direction of moldadvance and adapted to be successively engaged by said valve stems asthe molds travel in said course, whereby the intervals of mold advance,during which the valves continue in open position, may be varied andrendered unequal as between the succeeding molds.

SAMUEL A. FORTER.

